USHL Dubuque Fighting Saints

Fighting Saints Turn the Tables on RoughRiders

Published on September 24, 2016 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release


CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Down 1-0 for most of the contest, the Dubuque Fighting Saints got the game-tying goal midway through the third period, and the game-winner under two minutes into overtime from rookie defenseman Jacob Semik. The Saints topped the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders 2-1 on Saturday night from The Stable.

The game was largely kept in check by goaltender Jaxon Castor, who played rock solid in net for Dubuque. He made 29 saves, many of the grade-A variety on CR forwards Marc McLaughlin and Sam Sternschein, en route to his first win of the season. He also steadied the Fighting Saints penalty kill, which went letter perfect- 5-for-5- in the win.

He did not receive a star of the game honor from the hometown scorekeepers, but he played first-star hockey in Saturday night's game for Dubuque.

Regen Cavanagh scored his first USHL goal following an odd-man rush into the attacking zone. With Cedar Rapids peeling back into a defensive posture, Cavanagh broke through the neutral zone with gusto and powered a puck past starter Zack LaRocque to tie things up late in the third period.

Then after Castor bailed out his team with a breakaway save on Dalton Messina, Semik got some help from teammates David Brumm and Dallas Gerads, who kept the puck deep in the offensive zone, and Veli-Matti Tiuraniemi sent it to the young defender with a blue line pass. Semik's shot found a way through a maze of bodies in front of the net and through the bewildered LaRocque just a minute into the overtime session for the first win of the season.

Sternschein got the scoring started for Cedar Rapids in the first period. A turnover in the neutral zone forced by Zac Robbins led to a two-on-one break, and Sternschein one-timed the puck past the sprawled Castor to make it 1-0 home team.

The second period, while scoreless, was largely controlled by the Fighting Saints. Aside from a brief 5-on-3 power play that went by the wayside, the Saints outshot the RoughRiders 11-8 in the second. It was no masterpiece, but the shots ended up around even: 29-28 in favor of the Fighting Saints.

With win number one in the books, up next for the Fighting Saints is a celebration at home. Opening Night, presented by American Trust, comes to Our House on Friday, September 30 at 7:35 p.m. against the Green Bay Gamblers. The first 3,000 fans will receive a magnetic schedule, thanks to American Trust, upon entry to the building. Secure your spot for this special night by calling the box office at 563.583.6880, or by going to DubuqueFightingSaints.com.

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United States Hockey League Stories from September 24, 2016


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